Golf Putter Head with a Multidirectional Roller Ball

ABSTRACT

An improved golf putter head with a training insert is described. The golf putter head can comprise a base and a training mechanism. The base can comprise a crown, a sole, a face for hitting a golf ball, and an insert housing. The sole can comprise a bottom orifice. The training mechanism can comprise an insert and a roller ball. The insert can be mateable with the insert housing. The insert can at least partially form a roller ball housing. The roller ball can substantially be enclosed within the roller ball housing and extends out from the base through the roller ball housing.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to an improved golf putter head with a training insert. This disclosure also relates to an improved golf putter head with a multidirectional roller ball. Golf is enjoyed by many as a sport or for recreational activity. And one of the most important skills to develop when playing golf is putting. Needless to say, having a well fit putter can be essential when playing the sport of golf. A proper fitting putter can provide better stability and can minimize an on-off center stroke, which, over the course of a round, can greatly affect the scores and the performance of a player. To get better on putting involves a lot of practice. In one embodiment, a golfer can practice putting by using a traditional golf putter to improve their grip and other mechanics. However, such system is incapable correcting a golfer's set-up position wherein the head of the putter should be resting flat or parallel to the ground. Furthermore, one issue new golfers have on the green is the inability to move the putter smoothly across a green. Many strike the ball, rather than stroke it. Others, because of poor mechanics, will hit the ground first, causing for the putter face to angle and send the golf ball to be misdirected. For these reasons, it would be useful to have an improved golf putter that reduces the effects of golfer mechanical mistakes.

A golf aid may involve moving parts. However, per golf rules, a club may not have moving parts. While golf aids that involve moving parts can be incredibly useful in training, such aids cannot be kept in a rules-compliant bag on the course. Furthermore, the aid effectively requires the user to buy two putters—the golf aid putter, and a legal putter. For these reasons, it would be additionally useful to have a golf putter head that can be converted from a putter head with moving parts to a putter head without moving parts.

SUMMARY

An improved golf putter head with a training insert. The golf putter head can comprise a base and a training mechanism. The base can comprise a crown, a sole, a face for hitting a golf ball, and an insert housing. The sole can comprise a bottom orifice. The training mechanism can comprise an insert and a roller ball. The insert can be mateable with the insert housing. The insert can at least partially form a roller ball housing. The roller ball can substantially be enclosed within the roller ball housing and extends out from the base through the roller ball housing.

An improved golf putter head with a multidirectional roller ball is also disclosed. The golf putter head can comprise a base, a first ball housing within the base, and a first roller ball. The base can comprise a crown, a sole, a face for hitting a golf ball, and an insert housing. The sole can comprise a first bottom orifice. The first roller ball can be mounted within the first ball housing and can extend through the first bottom orifice. The ball can be capable of rolling freely in any direction within the first ball housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a golf putter head.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view embodiment of golf putter head comprising a roller ball.

FIG. 3 illustrates a roller ball and a cover removed from insert housing of a golf putter head.

FIG. 4 illustrates a section view embodiment of a golf putter head.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a cover.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a golf putter head with a roller ball removed.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a golf putter head comprising a training mechanism.

FIG. 8 illustrates a training plug placed within insert housing.

FIG. 9 illustrates a section view embodiment of how a roller ball housed within a training plug.

FIG. 10 illustrates a section view of another embodiment of how a roller ball can be mounted within training plug.

FIG. 11A illustrates a match plug insertable within an insert housing.

FIG. 11B illustrates another embodiment of match plug comprising a spherical cap.

FIG. 12 illustrates a training plug comprising one or more additional roller ball housings.

FIG. 13 illustrates a golf club comprising a golf putter head and an insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is an improved golf putter head with a training insert, and an improved golf putter head with a multidirectional roller ball. The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a golf putter head 100. Golf putter head 100 is the portion of a golf putter used to strike a golf ball and is opposite a handle of the golf club. In one embodiment, golf putter head 100 can be used as a golf putter training aid. In such embodiment, golf putter head 100 can comprise a base 101, a roller ball 102, and an insert 103. As an exemplary embodiment, golf putter head 100 can be a mallet-style putter. In other embodiments, golf putter head 100 can be any type of golf head such as a blade-shaped putter head. In one embodiment, base 101 can comprise a face 104, a sole 105, a crown 106, and a back 107. Face 104 is the portion of golf putter head 100 that is intended to hit a golf ball. Face 104 can connect sole 105 and crown 106. In one embodiment, face 104 can have a substantially planar surface. For purposes of this disclosure, sole 105 is the bottom portion of golf putter head 100 that typically comes in contact with the ground when a golfer sets up at a golf ball for a putt. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, crown 106 is the top portion of golf putter head 100 most easily seen by golfer when in a putting position. Back 107 can be a surface at an opposite side of face 104. Back 107 can be curved or flat. Base 101 can comprise an insert housing 108. In one embodiment, roller ball housing can be open to sole 105. In another embodiment, insert housing 108 can be further open to crown 106. Further, insert 103 can be mateable with insert housing 108. As such, insert 103 can at least partially form the roller ball housing. In this embodiment, insert 103 can be a cover 109. In such embodiment, insert housing 108 can house a cover 109 and roller ball 102. Cover 109 is a removable or otherwise moveable portion of base 101 that allows roller ball 102 to enter and exit insert housing 108. Moreover, cover 109 can be used to secure roller ball 102 within base 101. In such structure, roller ball 102 can rotate freely within insert housing 108 of base 101. In one embodiment, a portion of roller ball 102 can extend through cover 109. Further in another embodiment, golf putter head 100 can be used for golf putting. In such embodiment, roller ball 102 can be removed from base 101. In such scenario, cover 109 can first be removed from base 101 to take out roller ball 102. Once roller ball 102 is removed, cover 109 can be mounted and into insert housing 108, which can be further discussed below. Further in another embodiment, insert 103 can be a plug. In such embodiment, roller ball 102 can mount permanently within insert 103.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view embodiment of golf putter head 100 comprising roller ball 102. In one embodiment, sole 105 and crown 106 can have a substantially flat surface. In such structure, roller ball 102 can protrude from the surface of sole 105. As such, when golf putter head 100 is placed on the ground, the exposed portions of roller ball 102 can come in contact with the ground and can roll at any direction within base 101. Such structure can allow a user to move golf putter head 100 smoothly in any direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates roller ball 102 and cover 109 removed from insert housing 108 of golf putter head 100. In one embodiment, cover 109 can comprise a lip 301, an orifice 302, and a skirt 303. In another embodiment, cover 109 may not have orifice 302. Lip 301 can be flat circular disc around orifice 302. In one embodiment, lip 301 can comprise one or more slots 304. Each slot 304 can be a small hole at the surface of lip 301. Slots 304 can receive a tool to help the user fasten and/or remove cover 109 from insert housing 108. In one embodiment, slots 304 can receive a golf divot tool. Divot tool can comprise of one or more prongs that are inserted into the grass, which can be used to repair the grass on the golf course. In this embodiment, the prongs of divot tool can be insertable within slots 304. As such, the user can use the divot tool as a grip that can help when fastening or unfastening cover 109 from insert housing 108. Further, orifice 302 can be centered on cover 109. Skirt 303 can be a portion of cover 109 that hangs vertically around the outer edge of lip 301. In such structure, the diameter of orifice 302 can be smaller than the diameter of skirt 303. Furthermore, the diameter of skirt 303 can be slightly larger than the diameter of roller ball 102. Orifice 302 can prevent roller ball 102 from slipping out of insert housing 108 while still allowing roller ball 102 to rotate within skirt 303. Further in one embodiment, the outer surface of skirt 303 can comprise threads 305. In such embodiment, insert housing 108 can also comprise a threaded wall 306 that can be mateable with helical threads 305 of skirt 303. In another embodiment, the outer surface of skirt 303 can use twist and lock mechanism.

FIG. 4 illustrates a section view embodiment of golf putter head 100. In one embodiment, insert housing 108 can comprise a top portion 401, a middle portion 402, and a bottom portion 403. In this embodiment, middle portion 402 and bottom portion 403 can be substantially shaped like a portion of a half-hemisphere of roller ball 102, with middle portion 402 as wide or just slightly wider than roller ball 102. In such embodiment, top portion 401 can be sized to let roller ball pass through crown 106 into insert housing 108 when cover 109 is not present. In one embodiment, the walls within top portion 401 can comprise threaded wall 306 while the walls of middle portion 402 and bottom portion 403 can be unthreaded. In a preferred embodiment, top portion 401 can mate with cover 109. Furthermore, bottom portion 403 can comprise a bottom orifice 405 within sole 105 that allows roller ball to extend outward from sole 105, yet prevent roller ball 102 from slipping out of base 101. In one embodiment, the inner surface of skirt 204 can comprise curved arc 404. In such embodiment, when cover 109 is threaded within insert housing 108, curved arc 404 together with middle portion 402 and bottom portion 403, can form a roller ball housing 406. Roller ball housing 406, can be in the shape of a sphere minus a first spherical cap beginning at sole 105, and, in one embodiment, minus a second spherical cap beginning at crown 106. Thus, roller ball 102 can be substantially enclosed within roller ball housing and can extend out from base 101.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of cover 109. In this embodiment, skirt 303 can be mateable with insert housing 108 using a twist lock mechanism 500. In such embodiment, top portion 401 can comprise one or more pins 501 while inner surface of skirt 303 can comprise one or more L-shaped slots 502. Pins 501 can protrude from the surface of top portion 401. Each pin 501 can be compatible with each L-shaped slot 502. Pins 501 can be insertable within L-shaped slots 502 and twisting cover 109 can lock cover 109 in place.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of golf putter head 100 with roller ball 102 removed. In a scenario wherein golf putter is needed for a golf match, golf putter head 100 can be converted into a regular putter wherein the movable part such as roller ball 102 should be removed. To do so, cover 109 first be removed from insert housing 108 through the divot tool. Once cover 109 is removed, roller ball 102 can be removed from insert housing 108. Then with the help of the divot tool, cover 109 can be mounted and threaded back within top portion 401.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of golf putter head 100 comprising a training mechanism 700. For purposes of this disclosure, training mechanism 700 can comprise of insert 103 and roller ball 102. In one embodiment, insert 103 can be a training plug 701. Training plug 701 can be insertable within insert housing 108. In one embodiment, training plug 701 can comprise roller ball 102. In one embodiment, roller ball 102 can be permanently mounted within training plug 701. In this embodiment, the curved side portion of training plug 701 can comprise helical threads 305, which can be mateable with threaded wall 306 of insert housing 108. Further in one embodiment, roller ball 102 can rotate freely within training plug 701. In another embodiment, roller ball 102 can rotate on a single axis within training plug 701.

FIG. 8 illustrates a training plug 701 placed within insert housing 108. In this embodiment, the top surface of training plug 701 can be flush with crown 106. As shown in FIG. 8, training plug 701 can also comprise an opening mechanism to help aid a user remove training plug 701, such as a slit 801. Slit 801 can help the user fasten and/or unfasten training plug 701 from insert housing 108. Moreover, slit 801 can aid in aligning cover 109 within insert housing 108. In this embodiment, roller ball 102 can be mounted within training plug 701 and free to roll around within training plug 701.

FIG. 9 illustrates a section view embodiment of how roller ball 102 housed within training plug 701. In this embodiment, roller ball 102 can be freely moveable within training plug 701. In such embodiment, training plug 701 can comprise roller ball housing 406 and bottom orifice 405. In such embodiment, roller ball 102 can rotate in any direction.

FIG. 10 illustrates a section view of another embodiment of how roller ball 102 can be mounted within training plug 701. In this embodiment, training plug 701 can further comprise an axle 1001. In one embodiment, axle 1001 can be attached within training plug 701 parallel to face 104. In such embodiment, roller ball 102 can only move in a single direction. In one embodiment, roller ball 102 can only move in a forward-backward direction.

FIG. 11A illustrates a match plug 1100 insertable within insert housing 108. In one embodiment, training mechanism 700 can be removable and replaceable with match plug 1100. In such embodiment, training plug 701 can be removed from insert housing 108 and be replaced with match plug 1100. In this embodiment, the surface and the bottom surface of match plug 1100 can be flat and be flushed with crown 106 and sole 105. In one embodiment, the curved surface of match plug 1100 can also comprise threads 305 and slit 801. In such embodiment, match plug 1100 can be mateable with insert housing 108. In an example embodiment, match plug 1100 can be used to close insert housing 108 when roller ball 102 and cover 109 is removed. In another example embodiment wherein golf putter head 100 will be used for a golf match, the user can take out training plug 701 and then close insert housing 108 with match plug 1100. In one embodiment, match plug 1100 can be the same weight as training plug 701.

FIG. 11B illustrates another embodiment of match plug 1100 comprising a spherical cap 1101. Spherical cap 1101 can attach permanently to bottom portion 403. As such, spherical cap 1101 can extend below sole 105. In this embodiment, spherical cap 1101 can mimic roller ball 102 except that spherical cap 1101 is stationary.

FIG. 12 illustrates training plug 701 comprising one or more additional roller ball housings 1201. In this embodiment, each additional roller ball housing 1201 can comprise an additional roller ball 1202. In one embodiment, additional roller ball housing 1201 can comprise a first roller ball housing 1201 a and a second roller ball housing 1201 b. Each additional roller ball housing 1201 can form within base 101. In such embodiment, a first roller ball 1202 a can mount within first roller ball housing 1201 a and extends through a first bottom orifice 1203 a. Furthermore, a second roller ball 1202 b can mount second roller ball housing 1201 b and extends through a second bottom orifice 1203 b. In one embodiment, first roller ball 1202 a and second roller ball 1202 b can be positioned along a line parallel to face 104. In another embodiment, first roller ball 1202 a and second roller ball 1202 b can be positioned along a line perpendicular to face 104. In another embodiment, training plug 701 can further comprise a third roller ball housing 1201 c. In such embodiment, a third roller ball 1202 c can mount said third roller ball housing 1201 c. In this embodiment, third roller ball 1202 c can extend through a third bottom orifice 1203 c. In such embodiments, each additional roller ball 1202 can extend below sole 105 allowing each additional roller ball 1202 to roll or rotate freely in any direction within their respective roller ball housings 1201.

FIG. 13 illustrates a golf club 1300 comprising a golf putter head 100 and an insert 103.

Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” 

1. An improved golf putter head comprising a base comprising a crown, a sole, a face for hitting a golf ball, and an insert housing, said sole comprising a bottom orifice; a training mechanism comprising an insert that mates with said insert housing, said insert at least partially forming a roller ball housing; and a roller ball substantially enclosed within said roller ball housing and extending out from said base through said roller ball housing.
 2. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said insert is a cover, further wherein said insert housing comprises a middle portion and a bottom portion, said bottom orifice within said bottom portion, said cover, said middle portion and said bottom portion together forming said roller ball housing.
 3. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said insert is a training plug, said training plug comprising said roller ball housing.
 4. The improved golf putter head of claim 3 wherein said training mechanism is removeable and replaceable with a match plug, the top surface and the bottom surface of said match plug is flat and flushed with said crown and said sole.
 5. The improved golf putter head of claim 4 wherein said bottom surface of said match plug is flat and flush with said sole.
 6. The improved golf putter head of claim 4 wherein said bottom surface of said match plug comprises a spherical cap extending below said sole.
 7. The improved golf putter head of claim 4 wherein said match plug is the same weight with said training mechanism.
 8. The improved golf putter head of claim 3 wherein said training plug comprises one or more additional roller ball housings, each said additional roller ball housing comprising an additional roller ball, said additional second roller ball extending below said sole.
 9. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said insert mates with said base using threads.
 10. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said insert mates with said base using a twist lock mechanism.
 11. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said insert comprises one or more slots at the top to receive a tool.
 12. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said roller ball is capable of rolling freely in any direction.
 13. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 further comprising an axle, said roller ball mounted to said axle, said roller ball cable of rolling around said axle.
 14. The improved golf putter head of claim 1 wherein said axle is mounted within a training plug. 